What are the optional technical housing standards?

In March 2015, following consultation on accessible design standards, the government issued Policy in the form of a Written Ministerial Statement on housing standards. It introduced additional optional Building Regulations on water and access, and optional national space standards referred to as the ‘new national technical standards’.

The new standards complement the mandatory Building Regulations 2010, SI 2010/2214 (the Building Regulations). See Practice Note: Obtaining building regulations approval.

What optional technical housing standards can LPAs set?

Local planning authorities (LPAs) have the option of setting additional technical Requirements exceeding the minimum standards required by the Building Regulations 2010 in respect of:

1. •

   access

2. •

   water, and

3. •

   space standards

Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) advises that LPAs need to gather evidence to determine whether there is a need for additional standards in their area, and justify setting appropriate policies in their local plans.

As Building Regulations cover the physical security of new dwellings, LPAs do not need to impose any additional requirements for security of individual dwellings through plan policies, though designing